As the Cowichan transit strike sets a new milestone, mediation efforts continue in an effort to end the shutdown of the regional bus and handyDART service in the valley.
The strike broke the record today for the longest transit strike in B.C. history.
Transdev operates bus and handyDART services in the Cowichan Valley on behalf of BC Transit and its employees have been on strike for more than 136 days, which is the previous record.
“People who rely on the Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System have been greatly affected by the ongoing disruption to transit services. That’s why Minister Whiteside appointed Dave Schaub as a mediation officer to help resolve outstanding matters,” reads an email statement from the ministry of transportation and transit.
Forty-four transit operators, cleaners and mechanics represented by Unifor Local 114 and eight handyDART operators from Unifor Local 333 have been off the job since Feb. 8.
“All parties continue to work together and with the assistance of the mediation officer, towards finalizing a collective agreement,” the ministry statement says.
It adds the ministry and BC Transit are not involved in the ongoing negotiations but are closely monitoring the situation.
The negotiations are between Transdev and its union employees.
READ MORE: Cowichan Valley Transit strike about to become longest in B.C. history
